Your View: Teachers have long been our heroes

Thursday

Jan 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The atrocity of Friday, Dec. 14, has left the nation absolutely stunned. Faces of innocent babies will haunt us for a long time to come. It's just so hard to understand such an act of hatred and the "why" of it.

CAROL SANTOS

The atrocity of Friday, Dec. 14, has left the nation absolutely stunned. Faces of innocent babies will haunt us for a long time to come. It's just so hard to understand such an act of hatred and the "why" of it.

Along with those images, who can forget the "true" first responders — those valiant educators (without tactical training, weapons or body armor), six women who bravely either ran into a hail of bullets or shielded, protected and saved their students — all six losing their lives. I get chills just thinking about it. They were the heroes.

That is why I decided to write: There just aren't enough words to praise the value of a teacher. Year after year after year, these men and women put themselves out there (like no other profession) dealing with the worst society has created, the best society has created and everything else in between without any guarantee of a "Thanks, job well done."

When school budgets are tight (and that seems to be the norm) how many times have they dipped into their pockets to furnish supplies (again) without so much as a "Thank you very much."

Perhaps my letter will lead the way. I'm sure every reader had a teacher who influenced their direction, encouraged an otherwise shy, slow learner or praised when there were no friends and a dysfunctional home life.

Now is a great time (really any time is a great time) to give them a call or go online to reconnect with a favorite professor or just send a hand-written note of thanks. You never know where a thoughtful deed of gratitude and remembrance can lead. And this sets a good example for the kids and grandkids. Parents, you lead the way — good and bad.

While I'm on the subject, my English teacher from New Bedford High School, Miss Peters, deserves a standing ovation. She saw in me (from a distance) something all the others (up close) didn't.

Those dedicated men and women sometimes are the only kindness in a child's life. You never know what goes on behind closed doors, which makes a teacher a first responder.

My closing thought, though far-fetched, to teachers is that every time they step in front of a class, there may be a future Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Mike Bloomberg or Hillary Clinton. Take heed and heart. There's no telling where a teacher's inspiration and insight may lead a wonderful, wandering, wondering, youthful mind. The aforementioned had teachers, too, you know.

I propose we make 2013 the year of the teacher and give praise and thanks. Nobody is more deserving.